March 3, 2016 Page 9

Let Daylight Saving Time Inspire Energy Savings When the time comes, people around the world diligently turn their clocks an hour ahead come the spr ingtime & turn them back again when autumn arrives. This is because of daylight saving time, an idea first int roduced centuries ago by Benjamin Franklin. When daylight saving time, or DST, was first introduced, much o f what people did in their daily lives was governed by sunlight, as it was difficult to do anything once th e sun set. Franklin felt the country could be more productive if everyone rose earlier to maximize daytime. But Franklin’s idea was not officially implemented until much later, when it was instituted during W orld War I to save money on electricity & devote more money to coal during the time of war. DST was repealed durin g peacetime, but implemented again during World War II & once again during the 1973 oil embargo. Today , more than 70 countries participate, many of which do so because they believe it helps to save money on el ectricity. Individuals can take their own steps to curb electricity usage throughout the year. • Tailor your schedule to daylight hours. Rise & go to bed with the sun to reduce your reliance on electricity. • Only use lights in the rooms you’re occupying . Turn off electrical appliances & fixtures when leaving a room. • Spend more time outdoors, grilling outside & dining on the patio.• Use appliances during off-peak hours to save money on energy costs.• Open the windows on cooler days to keep interior spaces at a comfortable temperature.• Rely on sunlight as much as possible, opening curtains & blinds to let more light into your home.• Adjust the thermostat on HVAC systems to keep the system off when you’re not at home.• Reduce reliance on electrical forms of entertainment, such as TVs, computers, and tablets.

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Making New Friends After A Move Or Other Life Event Downsizing & other life changes often find seniors leaving their comfort zones to move to new neighb orhoods or regions. It can be difficult to leave those comfort zones behind, especially when it means saying go odbye to close friends or family members. Establishing new social circles as a senior can be challenging. • Join a club . If you have a particular hobby or interest, rekindle it in your new location. Find a local gardeni ng club, church-sponsored organization or fitness center where you can meet like-minded men & women. So me local clubs you may want to join include: Belvidere IOU Club, Belvidere Lions Club, Belvidere Rotary , Belvidere Womans Club, Belvidere Moose Club, Boone County Arts Council, Boone County Gardeners of America, Kiw anis Club, Zonta Club of Belvidere & many more. • Get a dog. Dogs make great companions inside of the house & also serve as an ice breaker when you are outdoors. Take plenty of walks & take advantage of opportunities for conversation when people come u p to you to inquire about your dog. Explain your situation and you may make some new friends along the way. • Volunteer your time. Volunteer & you’re likely to meet people who share the same interests as you. Sign up with a favorite charity or volunteer at nonprofit events & look for familiar faces. • Participate in church events. Churches are often cornerstones of a community, & they frequently host different events to get parishioners or members together. Read the bulletin & get involved in church-sponsored events. • Work at a school. Schools also serve as hubs of community activity. Volunteer or work for a local school & you will soon find yourself immersed in your community’s weekday hustle & bustle. Change can be hard for seniors starting out in new communities. With some gumption & a few strategie s to get started, anyone can expand their circle of friends.

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March 3, 2016Page 10

March 17 is a special day for people of Irish heritage & other celebrants across the globe. Each year, millions of people pay homage to St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, with parades, parties & religious services. Celebrations occur even though many celebrants may know little about this legendary saint.

Although St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a festivity filled with clovers, frosty mugs of beer, green clothing, & lively music, the day was once a religious feast day honoring the man many credit with bringing Christianity to Ireland.

Why Does The World Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

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St. Patrick was born in Britain circa AD 387. Many are surprised to learn he was not Irish. In fact, St. Patrick first spent time in Ireland when he was captured by Irish pagans as a teen & taken to their country as a s lave. After six years working as a shepherd, Patrick became familiar with the customs & spirit of the Irish & “f ound God.” He was able to eventually escape his imprisonment, vowing to one day return to Ireland as a free man.

Patrick was schooled at monasteries & was ordained a priest & later became a bishop. Under Pope Cele stine I, he was commissioned to become an apostle to Ireland & spread the news of God & Christianity.

St. Patrick spent many years evangelizing in northern Ireland & converted thousands of people from p aganism to Christianity. According to legend, St. Patrick used the three-leaf clover to explain the Holy Trinit y to the Irish.

Although green has become the primary color of St. Patrick’s Day & green remains widely associated w ith Ireland, during the 18th century, the Order of St. Patrick, an Anglo-Irish chivalric order, adopted blue as it’s official color. That led to blue being associated with St. Patrick. However, “wearing of the green” eventuall y fell back into favor, & the color green & an association with St. Patrick’s Day grew during the 19th & 20th centuri es.

Although St. Patrick’s Day originated as a religious celebration in honor of a man who brought Chris tianity to Ireland, it has since become a larger representation of Irish pride & culture.

Leaving An Estate To Charity When movie producer David Gundlach passed away suddenly from a heart attack in October 2011, few peo ple knew he intended to leave his massive personal fortune to a local charity in his hometown of Elkhart , Indiana. Gundlach gave away all of his $125 million to the Elkhart County Community Foundation.

One doesn’t have to be a famous movie producer or sports star to donate assets to charity in wills. Individuals sometimes make the choice to leave a portion of their estate to a favorite charity to create a legac y that helps the unfortunate. Such a decision may surprise family members, so it may be wise to discuss plans when dr afting wills & ensuring that the correct method of bequeathing estates to charities is followed.

When a will is written, it is typically in a person’s best interest to consult with an estate-planni ng attorney prior to making any decisions. When working in conjunction with a financial planner, an attorney can help you grow your estate & ensure your assets will be distributed according to your wishes.

When writing a will that includes charitable donations, be very precise in the verbiage & specify yo ur wishes & intents so they are carried out correctly. Just like feisty family members, charities can be quite a ggressive in their pursuits of funding, particularly if they have reason to believe that money will be coming their way as part of a person’s will. In order to prevent unnecessary battling among attorneys, it is best to have all of y our wishes clearly explained & spelled out so the people & organizations who matter the most to you receive the money -- & that you’re not simply funding legal bills.

Leaving money to a charity can have financial advantages for the other benefactors of your will. A b equest to a charity reduces the size of your estate, meaning less money is subject to estate taxes. While you ca nnot benefit from an income-tax deduction while you are alive, you will cut down on taxes afterward, which would normally take away money that was left to family & friends.

Those who want to save money in a tax-efficient way upon making a charitable donation can choose to donate an IRA account to charity. This will save your heirs money in income taxes that they otherwise would have to pay when the IRA is distributed. There are some gray areas in doing this, so it is best to consult with a tax advisor.

Donating a portion or all of your estate to charity can be a way to leave a legacy and support an or ganization that has special meaning to you. There are many local charities to choose from: Belvidere YMCA, United W ay of Boone County, Salvation Army, Boone County Food Pantry, Belvidere School District #100 Charitable Foundation, area Churches and many others.

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March 3, 2016 Page 11

Home Remedies For Joint Pain Can Provide Relief Stiff, painful joints affect a vast number of people. According to the American College of Rheumatol ogy, arthritis & other rheumatic diseases afflict roughly 23% of Americans. The number of people living with arthriti s is expected to increase as the Baby Boomer generation continues to age.

Treatments for joint pain & stiffness range from medication to physical therapy. Finding the right r egimen may take some effort, including some trial & error. For those looking for treatments they can try at hom e, consider these homespun remedies. (Note: Check with a physician to confirm the safety of alternative treatmen ts before adding herbs to or modifying your existing medications.)

A Simple Comparison Of Traditional vs. Roth IRAsArticle Contributed by Owen Costanza, Flanders Insurance

Anyone under the age of 70-1/2 and who earns an income can contribute to a traditional IRA. Traditio nal IRAs are subject to required minimum distribution (RMD) rules – where you are required to take RMDs annually after age 70-1/2. Your contributions may be tax deductible, however, the tax deductions are based on several i tems:

• Income tax filing status • Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) • Activity in an employer-sponsored retirement plan.

Roth IRAs are not subject to minimum distribution rules. Your funds can continue to accrue interest and remain in the contract past age 70-1/2. Roth IRAs also do not require activity in an employer-sponsored retire ment plan.

Both traditional and Roth IRAs allow you to make contributions at any time, based on eligibility and contribution limits. Additionally, an eligible wage earner may also contribute up to the annual limit for a non-w age earning spouse; each spouse would maintain his or her own Traditional or Roth IRA.

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• Exercise more. Regular movement helps to maintain flexibility in the body’s joints. Those with joint pain may shy away from exercise, but they could be doing themselves a disservice. Low-impact exercises, like swimming & water aerobics, can work out muscles & joints without adding extra stress. Walking can replace jogging or running, & yoga & pilates may be just the thing for deep stretching. Contact the Belvidere Family YMCA, Anytime Fitness or The Edge 24 Hour Fitness for low impact programs.

• Lose weight. Joint pain is often tied to obesity. Losing just a few pounds can ease up strain on certain joints, such as the hips, feet & knees. Shedding weight can improve mobility & decrease pain & potential future damage to joints.

• Consider hot & cold therapies. Using a heating pad, hot shower or bath or an ice pack can work wonders on arthritis-related pains. Hot treatments will loosen up stiff joints, while cold therapy is best for acute pain relief. Do not apply hot & cold packs to the skin directly, as this can injure the skin. Wrap them in a towel first.

• Include anti-inflammatory foods & beverages in your diet. Explore the many different natural foods & herbs that are purported to reduce inflammation in the body. Ginger, turmeric, flaxseed, grape juice, & b romelain can alleviate inflammation & stiffness. Foods such as fatty fish & nuts high in omega-3 fatty acids also will help fight inflammation. Blueberries, garlic, celery, & kelp should be included in diets as well.

• Go for a massage. The Arthritis Foundation says regular massages can help reduce pain & stiffness & improve range of motion. The massage therapist should have experience working on people with arthritis. In a ddition, massages should be performed by licensed physical therapists & guided by a doctor’s recommendation.

• Increase magnesium intake. Magnesium can alleviate pain & reduce inflammation. It is best ingested through dark, leafy greens but can be taken in supplement form. Magnesium oil can be applied topically to so re joints.

Joint pain can impact daily life and make activities less enjoyable. Fortunately, there are plenty o f ways that do not require harsh medications to loosen joints and combat pain.

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Create Religious Easter Traditions Easter is on the way, and practicing Christians across the globe have spent the Lenten season preparing for the day when they celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lent is a season best spent in the company of close friends and family, and the following are a few ways for Christians to celebrate their faith in the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday.

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• Give Easter eggs a different meaning. Easter eggs are popular among youngsters, & that popularity can be used to teach kids about their faith. Eggs are frequently viewed as a symbol of new life, so parents & grandparents can use them to show their children & grandchildren how Christ died & was born anew. Eg gs can be filled with small items that symbolize something related to Christ’s story. Or they can be left e mpty to represent the empty tomb after His resurrection. • Eat food that conveys Biblical stories. For Easter dinner, enjoy foods that are mentioned in the B ible. A fish dinner can convey the story of how Jesus multiplied fish to feed the crowds, or dine on lamb & share the story of Passover. • Participate in church services. Throughout Lent, many parishes offer Easter vigils or specialized services that relate the account of Jesus’ life & subsequent death on the cross. Some churches may recreate realis tic stations of the Cross. Employing pageantry to bring biblical stories to life can help young children visualiz e & better understand the meaning of Easter. The March 17th issue of the Boone County Shopper will list local c hurches Holy Week Services. • Create a Christ-centered Easter basket. Parents can still fill kids’ Easter baskets with some of t he familiar confectionary treats, but those parents who impart lessons about their faith to their kids also can include books about the story of Easter, rosary beads, a crucifix for a child’s room, & maybe a children’s Bible. • Make time for volunteer work. Many families reserve volunteerism for the Christmas season, but Eas ter also marks a great time to volunteer. In a season that focuses on the ultimate sacrifice, families can op en their hearts to others. Invite someone over for Easter dinner who has nowhere to go. Share your holiday celebrati ons with a person of another faith so that he or she may be able to see what makes this time of year special. Create a service jar filled with small, loving tasks everyone in the family can do each day. The Lenten season, including Easter, is the most celebrated time of the year for Christians. Familie s can enjoy the festivities by blending many different traditions together and by focusing on the spirituality o f the season.

Ingredients 1 pound fish fillets 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese 1-1/2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal 1-1/2 tablespoons whole wheat flour 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 teaspoon Hungarian paprika (optional) 1 tablespoon olive or canola oil Cooking spray

Directions 1. Spray baking dish with cooking spray. 2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 3. Rinse fillets under cold water, pat dry. 4. Combine Parmesan cheese, cornmeal, flour, pepper, and paprika in plastic bag. 5. Shake fillets one at a time in bag to coat with cheese mixture. 6. Place fillets in baking dish. Drizzle oil over fillets. Bake about 10 minutes per inch thickne ss of fish or until fish is opaque when flaked. Fillets may need to be turned halfway through baking .

Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe: 4 Servings

Amount Per Serving: Calories 167 Fat 5 g Cholesterol 57 mg Sodium 117 mg Carbohydrate 5 g Dietary Fiber 1 g Protein 25 g

This Month’s Healthy RecipeThis Month’s Healthy RecipeThis Month’s Healthy RecipeLighter Fried Fish FilletsLighter Fried Fish FilletsLighter Fried Fish Fillets This recipe is courtesy of University Of Illinois Extension

Traveling With Pets In Tow Many individuals & families simply cannot part with their companion animals for long periods of time . As a result, it’s become much more common for pets to accompany their owners on vacations. A study by AAA & Best Western Int. found more than half of American pet owners take their cats & dogs with them when they travel.

Pet owners traveling with their four-legged friends in tow can make the experience a fun & safe one by planning ahead. Be sure the pet is up-to-date with immunizations & bring documentation of those immunizations with you when traveling. Update any dated information on secure tags so pets can be returned promptly & safel y should they become lost. Take frequent breaks on road trips to allow the pet to get some exercise & relieve itself. Some pets do not fly well & certain airlines no longer transport certain breeds in the cargo hold, so inq uire before planning a getaway.

If traveling outside of the country, recognize that some countries initially quarantine animals for a certain period of time to ensure the pet is in good health. Look for pet-friendly hotels & verify that pets are allowe d.

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